how can Joe Calzaghe achieve P4P 1 status before retiring

[abadger]

Johnson is never an easy win. ****, just ask Calzaghe lol.

Dunno. He just doesn't seem anything very special to me, but I see what you mean, he certaily makes it as tough as he can. I just envisage Calzaghe being too good for him is all.

[bsrizpac]

So basically any American boxer, even one who was not actually that good would beat Calzaghe easily? What is it that these three have in common...something that Joe isn't...never mind.

None of them would have any chance of stopping Calzaghe, he's a 'doesn't get stopped' kind of guy, the kind that come along every once in while. I'm pretty sure Calzaghe would get a points verdict over Toney, who could both be outboxed and had suspect stamina. McLellan again would be both outboxed and outfought. Hopkins has the best chance. I'm pretty certain that Kessler/ Lacy era Joe beats 36+ Hopkins, but had they fought before that when both were more destructive it would have been a hell of a fight. You shouldn't underestimate the younger Calzaghe's ability to give and take punishment, he was actually a pretty imposing fighter.

Predictable abadger response: Cry about American's and cry about how UK boxers aren't respected. Whatever.

Who was the boxer that "wasn't that good"? This should be hilarious.

[IMDAZED]

The bottom line is, we'll never know. While most of these guys fought each other in their prime, Calzaghe was never in the mix. And whether that's his fault or not, he didn't fight them in their prime. And that damages his legacy. End of story. You can argue they ducked him but really, how dumb does that sound? Roy Jones drops his belt, moves up and takes on the world's most feared fighter at the time yet was afraid of some unknown from Wales. And if you think Calzaghe could beat a prime JAMES TONEY...well, God bless you.

[RightHandLead]

Very difficult while Pacquiao is around, who may still go on to beat Hatton at yet another weight class, and even if the laws of physics and biology are overturned for the day, De La Hoya still higher.

However, lets say he beats Jones easily and then goes on to beat Pavlik as well or better than he did Kessler. After that the only real fights for him are Dawson, Tarver and maybe Taylor. If he were to beat say two of these, definitely including Dawson then I think he might have a case irrespective of what Pacquiao does. He would be undefeated in a long career, having been the best in his division during his prime, and would have stuck around into old age to beat the next generation at his own weightclass and above. Almost literally no boxer would have done that in their career without suffering a loss, and I feel it would have to be recognised.

Good post. But what happens if Bernard beats Joe to Pavlik in October? I honestly htink Bernard has a serious shot there at handing Kelly his first "0". Does that take away from Joe's career, since he fought Roy instead, or does is add to it because Hopkins beat Kelly, who Joe officially beat?

At LHW, I'd love to see Calzaghe vs. Johnson myself. I think Dawson is an easy fight for anybody right now. I'd favor Tarver over him, and Joe would probably 120-108 his ass.

[them_apples]

So basically any American boxer, even one who was not actually that good would beat Calzaghe easily? What is it that these three have in common...something that Joe isn't...never mind.

None of them would have any chance of stopping Calzaghe, he's a 'doesn't get stopped' kind of guy, the kind that come along every once in while. I'm pretty sure Calzaghe would get a points verdict over Toney, who could both be outboxed and had suspect stamina. McLellan again would be both outboxed and outfought. Hopkins has the best chance. I'm pretty certain that Kessler/ Lacy era Joe beats 36+ Hopkins, but had they fought before that when both were more destructive it would have been a hell of a fight. You shouldn't underestimate the younger Calzaghe's ability to give and take punishment, he was actually a pretty imposing fighter.

I'm not American, and yes those fighters would kill Calzaghe. He hasn't had any dominating wins over any solid oponents. Maybe if he destroys Pavlik I will change my mind. Kessler and Lacy never were at the level of Jones, Hopkins or Toney - not even close.

[Super welsh Joe]

How about you post your scorecard with a detailed analysis round by round?

This should be good for a laugh.

And as for your sig, Prime Jones crushes Calzaghe.

why would i need to post my scorecard ? just google the Hopkins v Calzaghe fight and you will see that the majority of Boxing websites ,Boxing fans, Boxing media agree that Calzaghe won the fight

[abadger]

Predictable abadger response: Cry about American's and cry about how UK boxers aren't respected. Whatever.

Who was the boxer that "wasn't that good"? This should be hilarious.

The only thing thats predictable is you. I posted my opinion, both on the thoughts expressed in the post I replied to, and on the fights in question. Of course, because you don't agree with it, it has to be 'crying'. I don't care what Americans say or think, but if they say it on a public forum then I don't mind discussing it with them.

[IMDAZED]

Dunno. He just doesn't seem anything very special to me, but I see what you mean, he certaily makes it as tough as he can. I just envisage Calzaghe being too good for him is all.

If only Calzaghe believed what you did.

[IMDAZED]

I'm not American, and yes those fighters would kill Calzaghe. He hasn't had any dominating wins over any solid oponents. Maybe if he destroys Pavlik I will change my mind. Kessler and Lacy never were at the level of Jones, Hopkins or Toney - not even close.

Mikkel Kessler...I'm still waiting for him to put a decent name on his ledger - not a has been or a never will be. Facts are facts and his record leaves much to be desired. Man, I just don't get it...

[Super welsh Joe]

I'm not American, and yes those fighters would kill Calzaghe. He hasn't had any dominating wins over any solid oponents. Maybe if he destroys Pavlik I will change my mind. Kessler and Lacy never were at the level of Jones, Hopkins or Toney - not even close.

why do you keep bringing up Lacy, the Eubank win is better than the win over Lacy